Kejriwal says he prefers Modi over Maya as PM: A ploy to win more business fans?

This could be one of the biggest anticlimax played out in the Indian political drama recently.

At a closed door interaction with financial market representatives in Mumbai, Aam Admi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal has said that he would prefer BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi over BSP’s Mayawati. But only if somebody puts a gun to his head, a report in The Economic Times has said.

The question was put across to Modi by Anil Singhvi, former Gujarat Ambuja managing director and founder and CEO of Ican Advisors, an investment advisory firm.

At his first meeting with the investor community, Kejriwal harped on the view that the 2014 elections will throw up no decisive mandate at the Centre, which prompted Singhvi to ask the question whom would he prefer Modi or Mayawati.

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“At first, Kejriwal told me he would choose none. But when I persisted and said that the country would need a PM, he said if forced to choose, he would go for Modi,” Singhvi has been quoted as saying in the report.

However, Kejriwal did not give any rationale for his preference.

Kejriwal’s comment has impressed Singhvi as he thinks the former Delhi chief minister, whose measures have caused considerable heartburn among the business community, comes across as honest. Stockbroker Ramdeo Agrawal, who was also present at the meeting, is full praise for Kejriwal’s commitment to root out corruption the system.

Kejriwal’s Modi endorsement is likely to be interpreted variously by various sections.

His critics could see this as an opportunistic remark by the AAP leader. As the old saying goes, when in Rome do as the Romans do. Kaejriwal just cannot afford to lose further ground among the business. Remember, the stock market had suffered a serious drubbing over fears the AAP’s economic policies may have a negative impact on Indian economy. So he might have manoeuvred accordingly.

Another explanation could be that Kejriwal is trying to contain Modi’s impact on the business community. Many from the business community have already supported Kejriwal and his anti-corruption stance. So his comment probably was targeted at the fence sitters. If he manages to draw them, it will definitely help the AAP’s standing. The question put to him was representative of the major concerns the business community has in India. Kejriwal’s aim would have been to come clean on this.

The comment could also be a proof that the AAP, as a political party, is cutting a clearer path before it and it is not different from others. No political party in India exist without support from the business community. He has woken up to this reality. This is why Kejriwal urged the investors present at the meeting to contribute towards the party’s election campaign.

Read the entire ET report here.